Louis Del Grande

Louis Del Grande (born March 23, 1943) is a retired American-Canadian actor, comedian, and television writer. He is best known as the co-creator and star of the mystery-comedy CBC Television series Seeing Things (1981-87). He won four Gemini Awards for his work on the series, two for Best Actor in a Comedy Series and two for Best Comedy Series.

Early life
Del Grande was born and raised in Union City, New Jersey. His father and brother were both institutionalized, while his sister underwent intensive psychiatric treatment. At age 16, Del Grande began acting in New York City, eventually landing a part in the Oregon Shakespeare Festival.

Career
Del Grande moved to Toronto in 1964, drawn to Canada by the Stratford Festival, and soon found work as a stand-up comedian and comedy writer. In 1975, he was hired as head writer for a new sitcom, The King of Kensington, which became a hit in Canada until the end of the decade. He also appeared in the show a handful of times as Fred, a friend of Al Waxman's lead character Larry King. Del Grande later became (with Jack Humphries) the show's co-producer (a Fifth Estate documentary said the two producers ran Kensington "with an iron hand").

After a brief stint in Hollywood, Del Grande returned to Toronto where he created, wrote and produced Seeing Things, which aired from 1981 to 1987. Del Grande played a crime-solving clairvoyant tabloid reporter who was separated from his wife Marge (played by Del Grande's real-life wife, actress Martha Gibson). The series was popular and won Del Grande four Gemini Awards, two for best actor in a comedy and two for the show itself.

Outside Canada, Del Grande is probably best known as the ConSec scanner in the infamous "head explosion" scene in the David Cronenberg movie Scanners. He has also appeared in numerous theatrical and television movies and series, including Monkeys in the Attic, Due South, The Outer Limits and Goosebumps.

Personal life
Del Grande is married to Canadian actress Martha Gibson. For many years, the couple resided on Cape Breton Island.